Becker Mining SA’s Kito RX electric wire rope hoists, launched in Africa two years ago, play a critical role in many industries, including mining, construction, shipbuilding, food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing, manufacturing and general industry, as well as in chemical and petrochemical plants and the wind power sector.
“The addition of Kito electric wire rope hoists to our extensive range of Kito manual and electric chain hoists and lever hoists has been a great success,” explains Rick Jacobs, Senior General Manager (SGM) for Consumables, Becker Mining SA.
Adaptable
“This product has been developed with a robust design and advanced technology for dependable operation and extended service life in tough conditions. Typical applications are in production plants, plant engineering, production lines and workshops, as well as shipbuilding and general maintenance procedures.
“These flexible hoists are adaptable for use in conjunction with existing cranes and machinery and all components are easily accessible for ease of maintenance,” says Rick.
Technical features
The Kito RX range, with lifting capacities between 1 000kg and 50 000kg, is available from Becker Mining in units with two or four rope strands, reeving 2/1, 4/1 and 4/2. These hoists have lifting speeds from 1.5 m/min to 12 m/min, with the option of single-speed, two-speed and frequency-control.
Features include 380 – 440V/50 – 60Hz/3 phases, Insulation Class: IP55 (standard) or IP66 (optional) and a control voltage of 42V, 110V, 24V, 48V or 230V (optional). These hoists are powered by a three-phase asynchronous motor or the option of a sliding anchor motor. A planetary gearbox ensures optimum power transmission between the hoist motor and rope drum.
Brakes and guides
For enhanced safety, an electromagnetic disc brake acts directly on the rotor shaft for effective braking force. Electronic overload protection, with two adjustable levels, offers protection to the hoist and all its components from overloading (Performance Level C). There is also integrated overheating protection for the motor.
A notable design feature includes the rope guide which consists of two parts: the guide ring and tension spring. The tension spring ensures that the rope lies correctly in the drum groove, while the guide ring always maintains the rope in the correct position, preventing it from coming off the drum groove. By moving the guide ring along the drum, limit switches are activated for the highest and lowest hook positions.
Trolley
The double-girder trolley is equipped with double-flange wheels, all with high-quality ball bearings. This construction, where driven wheels are connected directly to the self-braking gear motor, ensures efficient power transmission between the running wheels and the trolley rail. This design also ensures extended service life, reduced wear and low maintenance requirements.
Trolley construction comprises a standard headroom monorail design that enables the hoist to operate directly under and parallel with, the crane or runway beam. The hoist is directly connected to the trolley and all components are easily accessible for ease of maintenance.
Capacities
Hoists available in the Kito RX range include a foot-mounted hoist without a trolley, designed for lifting capacities from 1 000kg to 50 000kg and a hoist with a standard headroom monorail trolley, for capacities from 1 000kg to 32 000kg. Double girder trolleys are suitable for capacities from
1 000kg up to 32 000kg, either supported or suspended, version S2-S4.
This range is available only in supported execution, for capacities from 20 000kg up to 25 000kg, two rope falls and for capacities from 40 000kg to 50 000kg, four rope falls. Units are also supplied as a double hoist, with capacities up to 100 000kg. The low headroom monorail hoist trolley is designed for capacities from 1 000kg to 16 000kg.
Features and accessories
Various features have been developed to suit specific application requirements. These include radio remote control, customised painting and festoon cable systems. Users can also choose load spectrum monitoring and synchronisation, load display, summation and measurement and anti-sway control.
Becker Mining also supplies a full range of Kito accessories to enhance the performance of Kito hoists. These components include universal trolleys, available in plain or hand-geared configurations, to provide smooth, precise and easy traversing and positioning.
Testing and training
To ensure hoists are in pristine condition and always operate effectively, specialists recommend that equipment is tested regularly at Becker Mining SA’s workshops, or any certified repair centre.
The company, which is committed to the highest standards in quality and safety, offers technical advisory, repair, test and backup services throughout Africa. A specialised consulting, training and support facility ensures the optimum efficiency of a wide range of equipment and total safety for workers.
